(21) The six lute-players.

With harps on the Sheminith.--"With lutes (or lyres) in the bass." Literally, after the mode of the eighth--i.e., an octave below the tenor--al ottava bassa.

To excel.--To lead the orchestra, to precent. (Comp. Psalms 6, heading.)

15:1-24 Wise and good men may be guilty of oversights, which they will correct, as soon as they are aware of them. David does not try to justify what had been done amiss, nor to lay the blame on others; but he owns himself guilty, with others, of not seeking God in due orderAnd Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah,.... These six were appointed to sound:

with harps on the Sheminith to excel; which Sheminith some take to be an harp with eight strings, or the beginning of a song, or a musical tone, the bass; see the title of Psalm 6:1.